8.17 / Missing Students

Purpose

The purpose of this statement is to set forth University policy with regard to situations
where the University becomes aware that a student is absent for a certain length of
time.

Preamble

The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 requires that certain universities establish
a missing student notification policy for students residing in on-campus housing.

Policy

All students living in university managed housing must provide confidential contact
information to the Housing and Residence Life (HRL) Director or designee for an individual
they would like contacted in the event they are deemed a missing person by the University
Police Department. Each student will be responsible for keeping the confidential contact
information updated and current. The security of the contact information will be maintained
by the HRL Director or designee and stored in HRL's management software in a location
separate from their emergency contact information. This data shall be collected each
time the student applies for housing; which they must do every year. If a student
needs to update this information at any time, the student may contact the Office of
Housing and Resident Life to do so. Students' contact information will be registered
confidentially and will be accessible only to authorized campus officials, and will
not be disclosed, except to law enforcement personnel in furtherance of a missing
person investigation.

If an individual has concerns that a student living in University managed housing
has been missing for 24 hours, that individual should contact the Wichita State University
Police Department at 316-978-3450. Students living in University managed housing may
also report their concerns to any HRL staff member (Resident Assistant, Residence
Life Coordinator, or Desk Assistant) or call the Office of Housing and Residence Life
at 316-978-3693. HRL staff members shall immediately report this information to Wichita
State University Police Department. A student living in University managed housing
will not be considered missing if they have provided information about their intended
whereabouts. A student living in University managed housing will not be considered
missing if they are gone during recognized University holidays and/or breaks.

If the University Police Department's investigation determines that a student for
whom a report has been filed has been missing for more than 24 hours, the University
Police Department will notify other law enforcement entities as necessary and the
HRL Director or designee. The HRL Director or designee will notify the Vice President
for Student Affairs or designee to determine how best to make contact in accordance
with paragraph 4 of this policy statement.

If the missing student is under the age of 18 and not emancipated, the University
is required to contact the missing student's parent[s] or guardian[s] within 24 hours
of the report being filed. If the missing student is emancipated or 18 years of age
or older, the University will contact the confidential contact person provided by
the student pursuant to paragraph 1 above, also within 24 hours of the report being
filed.